Vietnam
What a trip to Vietnam costs in September
Vietnam in September is affordable and easy to reach. You can sleep for a few euros a night, eat for very little, and get everywhere using local buses and boats. This article tells you exactly where your money goes, and where you can save without any effort.
7 September 2026 · Wayloha editorial · 4 sources
Sleeping
Many hostels in the backpacker neighbourhoods offer bunk beds and have a cosy atmosphere.
If you want something special, choose a night on a boat cruise in the Mekong Delta near Can Tho. It is more comfortable and part of the adventure.
- A night boat cruise in the Mekong is worth the experience.
You travel in two directions through Vietnam and keep meeting the same faces: a journey that feels like one long conversation with other travellers.Vietnam
Eating
Vietnam is a paradise for food lovers. You pay reasonable amounts in restaurants for backpackers.
Just be careful: never drink water directly from the tap. Buy filtered water, tea, or soft drinks: it is cheap and safe.
- Eat where the Vietnamese eat: cheap and fresh.
- Drink only filtered water, tea, or canned soft drinks.
Transport
Many travellers follow the same routes through Vietnam, so you constantly meet the same people. That makes travelling much easier. Arrange your visa before departure via iVisa. Do not forget this, otherwise you will have problems on arrival.
Buses and trains are cheap. Are you joining a village boat in the Delta? Make arrangements directly with the boat owner. That is even more affordable than organised tours.
- Arrange your visa in advance, not on the spot.
- Make your own arrangements with boat owners in Delta villages for cheaper alternatives.
Sights and activities
The war tunnels at Cu Chi and Long Phuoc are worth the money: with a guide, you learn the stories behind the history. Ha Long Bay and the backwaters near Ben Tre are classics.
Want to meet fewer tourists? Take a day trip to Ben Tre, or explore islands with their beaches. More remote areas offer a quieter alternative.
- Book a guide for the tunnels: it teaches you more than just walking around.
- A day trip to Ben Tre is less commercial than Ha Long Bay.
